Blending secular, religious Christmas traditions

The Christmas season seems to evoke a broad range of emotions. While there is a palpable sense of generosity this time of year, that charitable spirit competes with crass commercialism. While some feel the joy of the season, others feel pain or loneliness as a difficult year comes to a close.

Even a few Christians reject Christmas because it was originally a pagan celebration of the winter solstice.

For me, the blending of the season’s good secular traditions doesn’t offend my desire to focus on the miracle of Bethlehem.